Freemaps

Very few people know the real gypsy life. Where do they come from? Where do they live? Why do some drive the donkey carts and others white Mercedes Vans?To understand the Gypsies one must look to their past. ORIGIN Originally, it is thought, that bands of Gypsies migrated slowly from Northern India, across the top of Northern Africa, or across mainland to Eastern Europe finally reaching Spain and Portugal. In 1574 King Joo deported Gypsys to Brazil and the Portuguese African colonies. During World War Two, Hitler claimed they were 'undesirables' and up to 500,000 where gassed in the concentration camps. Those that could fled to Spain and Portugal. Today those that survived live in eastern and southern Europe and continue their old way of life. For the most part they do not want to integrate. Every once in a while the 'authorities'try to make children go to school, but the plan soon breaks down when , wont sit still in class,they just wont learn, and eventually don't show up at school at all. They are intelligent but their way of living is so foreign to the general population. They don't have bank accounts, don't eat in normal restaurants,thewomenaredefinitelyunder the control of the men, once they marry etc. The older married men always wear black, perhaps morning or just as way of life. The married woman never cut their hair. The young woman are allowed to wear shorter skirts and are quite becoming with their beautiful thick black hair in a loose braid down their back, or open and wavy. When they are married they must wear a Long skirt and covered shoulders. Today's Gypsies survive on the margins of society. They live on vacant lots in their white vans or in improvised tin huts, or in their tents. They are semi nomadic. They can move at will to a new area if this is better for their 'business'. In 1999, when a shopping center was approved for development on a huge tract of land on the road between Alvor/Portimao, the police had to move in, with riot gear and huge bulldozers to remove the gypsy camp. There may be one or two gypsy families that actually have small houses in town but these are few. WORK There are between 50,000 and 100,000 gypsies in the Algarve. as they are not registered no one knows for sure. They sell and trade everything. At the monthly markets the women sell clothes, much of it counterfeit, Tshirts with labels like Lacrosse, Channel, Adidas, NIKE, for 5 to 10 Euros. As well as bundles of socks, jeans, purses, baby clothes etc. Anyone who thinks they are getting an original item at that price, is sadly mistaken. Check ALL the socks for holes, once I got ten pairs of socks for 5 euros, a real bargain, until I opened the bundle and saw that not one of them had heels!!! Also check carefully for poor sewing or holes in other garment. There is definitely a 'no money back' guarantee! But a lot of the stuff they sell is good and worth more than they charge if bought in normal shops.They have no overheads, no taxes, no employees, no shops, no mortgage, no rents, so the prices can be good. They do pay a very small 'rental fee' for their places at the markets. The men sell and trade horses and donkeys on the out skirts of the monthlygypsy market. They are also known to sell fake gold and drugs. The biggest markets are on Saturday morning in Loul, and on Wednesday morning in Quarteira. Try to get there early as some things may sell out. They open around 8am, and are usually over by 3ish. Bring your own bags for your purchases. Watch your wallets and be careful with your cameras etc, as there can always be pickpockets.DO NOT LEAVE anything in your car. Not even in the boot! The criminals can get into your car, including your trunk, in 30 seconds flat. Be smart and be safe. Don't make the criminals job easy! LIFESTYLE The gypsys have a long history of singing soulful music. As a general rule they do not work on Sundays. On Sundays they will sit around the campfire and you can hear the lamenting songs or even more lively tunes. In Spain, there are several very famous gypsies who sing and dance in paid shows. The gypsies have a similar lifestyle as Irish Gypsy's but they do not as a rule get houses from the municipal government as they do in Ireland. It is warm enough in the Algarve, to live life in tents or shacks. More recently some gypsies have broken away from their lifestyle and have gone to school and university. Integration is difficult but perhaps over time.......it may happen. In the meantime, feel free to buy from the Gypsies, just remember to check everything over very carefully. Remember NO money back and that is guaranteed!